# Now This Is Fighting explained — The Titan

> Chapter companion for The Titan by Theodore Dreiser.

## What happens

Cowperwood executes a bold plan to organize rival gas companies in Chicago's suburbs, enlisting a network of lawyers and fixers—including General Van Sickle, Kent McKibben, and Burton Stimson—to bribe village councilmen and secure franchises before the established city gas companies can mount an effective defense.

## Themes in this chapter

### Corruption and Morality

The chapter details the systematic bribery of councilmen and the use of corrupt lawyers like Van Sickle, portraying moral decay as a normal part of business.

### Ambition and Power

Cowperwood's strategic expansion into suburban gas markets demonstrates his relentless drive for financial and political control.

### Wealth and Its Illusions

The ease with which franchises are bought and sold underscores the illusion that wealth can secure anything, while the actual cost in integrity is hidden.

## Character check-ins

### Frank A. Cowperwood

Orchestrates the suburban gas franchise scheme, hiring multiple lawyers and dummy presidents to keep his involvement hidden.

### Addison Cowperwood

Applauds Frank's plan and advises him to enlist crooked village councilmen and a reliable lawyer.

### General Van Sickle

A corrupt former Civil War general hired as a go-between; he describes the venality of suburban councils and agrees to work with Sippens.

### Henry De Soto Sippens

President of the Lakeview Gas and Fuel Company, hired as practical adviser for the multiple franchise operations.

### Kent Barrows McKibben

A young lawyer hired to organize a Hyde Park gas company; he uses his local connections to influence councilmen.

### Burton Stimson

A young, ambitious lawyer engaged to work on the West Side franchise with Peter Laughlin.

### Peter Laughlin

Ostensible organizer for the West Side franchise, working with Stimson and Sippens.

### Antoinette Nowak

Cowperwood's secretary, described as reserved, astute, dark, and attractive.

## Key lines

> They're all as crooked as eels' teeth, but there are one or two that are more crooked than others and safer—bellwethers.

Addison says the village councilmen are universally dishonest, but a few are reliably corrupt and can lead the others.

_Addison advises Cowperwood on selecting the most dependable corrupt officials._

> I'm not so much concerned with how it has to be done, General, but I want to be sure that it will be done quickly and quietly.

Cowperwood tells Van Sickle he cares only about speed and secrecy, not the methods used.

_Cowperwood delegates the dirty work to his hired fixers._

> The man before him gripped his imagination. His remote intellectuality relaxed.

McKibben was captivated by Cowperwood's presence and dropped his usual aloof demeanor.

_McKibben's reaction shows Cowperwood's magnetic effect on ambitious professionals._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_titan_se/chapters/viii-now-this-is-fighting
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_titan_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_titan_se/chapters